The heart of Bursa is transforming with collective intelligence in Altıparmak.

The Bursa Metropolitan Municipality signed a cooperation protocol with the Osmangazi Municipality, relevant academic chambers, and the Bursa City Council to prepare zoning and urban design projects for the Altıparmak area, which is the heart of the city. Mayor Mustafa Bozbey stated that the protocol covers an area of 830 acres and emphasized, “We are aware of the importance of the region for Bursa and we attach great importance to collaboration with our professional chambers.”

The Altıparmak region, once one of the most prestigious areas of Bursa but has lost its value in recent years, is being transformed with common sense under the leadership of the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality. A cooperation protocol was signed between the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality and the Osmangazi Municipality, involving relevant academic chambers and the Bursa City Council, for the preparation of new zoning plans and urban design projects for the neighborhoods located between Altıparmak and Merinos. The program at the Merinos Atatürk Congress Cultural Center was attended by Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, Bursa City Council President Prof. Dr. Ertuğrul Aksoy, Osmangazi Municipality Deputy Mayor Fatih Vardar, President of the Bursa Chamber of Architects Şirin Rodoplu Şimşek, President of the Bursa Chamber of City Planners Murat İlkme, President of the Bursa Chamber of Civil Engineers Atilla Erdem, President of the Bursa Chamber of Landscape Architects Eda Demir, President of the Southern Marmara Geological Engineers Chamber Mehmet Yıldız, and President of the Bursa Chamber of Surveying Engineers İlker Tokdemir.

“We are ready to take this work further”

Mayor Mustafa Bozbey stated that the project covers 10 different neighborhoods within the Osmangazi district and reminded that Altıparmak was once the heart of Bursa, the center of both trade and socializing. He noted that it is a place that offers a nostalgic atmosphere with the buildings lined up on both sides and expressed that Altıparmak was a region that integrated Bursa’s historically rich texture with modern life in the past. Mayor Bozbey expressed that while the Altıparmak-Merinos region once added value to the vibrancy and diversity of Bursa, it has gradually weakened in terms of construction and social life over time, and has ultimately strayed far from its former glory. He mentioned that they have taken an important step to reintegrate the Altıparmak region with urban life and to make it earthquake-resistant, stating, “In 2023, the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality signed a protocol with the Chamber of City Planners, Chamber of Civil Engineers, and Chamber of Architects for this purpose. Efforts have been made to propose solutions to make the region more livable. Now, we are ready to take this work much further from this starting point. I thank the professional chambers that participated for their shared experience and knowledge.”

“We are aware of the region’s importance for Bursa”

Mayor Bozbey explained that many analyses and survey studies have been conducted to address the issues of the region in detail, and with the technical support provided by the professional chambers, the risk status of each building in the area was individually determined concerning earthquakes. He also mentioned that information was gathered from neighborhood heads about the problems and expectations of the region, stating, “With the participation of faculty members from various universities, principles have been established on how the most appropriate urban design should comply with the historical and cultural structure of our city. We are aware of the region’s importance for Bursa and we attach great importance to collaboration with our professional chambers. We believe that the scope of this work should be expanded to make it more meaningful. In this context, we came together to sign a cooperation protocol for the preparation of zoning and urban design projects covering an area of approximately 830 acres in the neighborhoods of Altıparmak, Çırpan, Selimiye, İntizam, Hocahasan, Ahmetpaşa, Şehabettinpaşa, Aktarhüssam, Kuruçeşme, and Yahşibey.”

Priority is a quake-resistant Bursa

Mayor Bozbey explained that improving the physical space, increasing social infrastructure areas, and resolving the transportation system would be priorities and stated that they have prepared 1/25,000 and 1/5,000 scale zoning plans and 1/1,000 scale implementation zoning plans to make the region an attractive center once again. He emphasized the importance of the 1/100,000 scale Environmental Plan, which they refer to as the city constitution, stating, “In two years, we will collectively present our vision for 2050. Our priority is to make our Bursa a quake-resistant city. It is impossible to prevent earthquakes, which are natural disasters, but it is in our hands to prevent them from becoming disasters. We must collectively take the necessary steps in this regard and maintain social solidarity at the highest level. We will continue our efforts to become quake-resistant and prepared cities with determination. I hope our project, which will be carried out with a participatory approach and scientific truths, will be beneficial to our Bursa and all our citizens.”

Osmangazi Municipality Deputy Mayor Fatih Vardar stated that Bursa needs to be made quake-resistant as soon as possible and expressed that they would contribute to the efforts led by the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality. Prof. Dr. Ertuğrul Aksoy, President of the Bursa City Council, stated that their priority is to enable a livable and green transformation and expressed that they are happy with the project concerning the Altıparmak region. The presidents of the academic chambers also expressed their opinions regarding the transformation process, stating that the project would be an example for Turkey. After the speeches, a cooperation protocol was signed between Mayor Mustafa Bozbey and representatives of other relevant institutions. The program continued with a question and answer session.